Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has called for comparisons between Mario Balotelli and the club’s former star Luis Suarez to end, as he insists that no line can be drawn between the two strikers.
Balotelli made the move to Liverpool from AC Milan, following the departure of the prolific Suarez to Barcelona. Suarez had scored 31 goals for the Merseyside club last season, so many wondered if the controversial former Manchester City player could step into the Uruguayan’s shoes. However, Rodgers has stated that it is unfair to compare the two.
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When asked by Sky Sports whether or not Balotelli can assume the role of the club’s goalscorer as proficiently as Suarez did, he replied: “We shall see. There is no comparison between the two as players. Luis was brilliant for me in his time here and developed to become a player who consistently delivered in terms of scoring and creating.
“Mario is different. He’s got a lot of experience for 24, he has come here as an established international.”
While Balotelli received a lot of criticism during his time at the Premier League due to some notable behavioural problems, his on- and off-pitch attitude was nowhere near as poor as that of Suarez’s. During his time at Liverpool, the Barcelona striker faced allegations of racism and also for biting Chelsea defender Ivanovic. Balotelli at least appeared to clean up his act during his time at AC Milan, whilst Suarez received a ban from professional football during the World Cup for yet another biting incident, this time for sinking his teeth into Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini. Rodgers will be hoping that Balotelli will not be stirring up trouble once again during his return to the Premier League.
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